The Resort Municipality of Sun Peaks has found its new Chief Administrative Officer.

Deanna Campbell, who is currently working as the Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s General Manager of Corporate and Legislative Services, will take over from Shane Bourke, on August 14.

“Sun Peaks is an amazing place and I live here full time during the summer months, so very connected to the community,” Campbell said on the NL Noon Report Wednesday.

“I’ve actually always been hoping this opportunity might come up but yeah, it was quite a process. I understand there were quite a lot of qualified candidates and that doesn’t surprise me. I gave it my best and yeah, came out on top.”

Bourke was in the role since the summer of 2021, though he handed in his notice on June 1 as he is set to take up a similar job in Grande Prairie on Sept. 18.

“I just know that Sun Peaks is anxious to get someone in there and get started,” Campbell said.

“There is a lot of work to do and lot of opportunities and challenges. A bit of overlap with Shane on his way out, so I’ll get to benefit from having him around a little bit, relying on his knowledge of the role.”

Campbell began her local government career in Whistler in 2016, and also worked as the City of Kamloops’ Legislative Services Supervisor for a year. She has a legal background and has also held positions with both the provincial and federal governments.

“It is actually really good timing [for the next step in my career],” Campbell said. “I’m feeling like I’m leaving the [TNRD] and my department and my team in a really good place.”

“I’ve wrapped up a lot of projects I’ve been working on and I’ve been working with Scott [Hildebrand], our CAO on a transition plan. The posting for my position is already up.”

In a statement Sun Peaks Mayor Al Raine – who also served on the TNRD Board of Directors – says he is excited to work closely with Campbell.

“The resort lifestyle that attract residents and employees from across Canada resulted in an extensive list of highly qualified applicants seeking to help us build the best mountain community in British Columbia,” Raine said.

“Council is confident that Deanna’s municipal experience in addition to her knowledge of the region and of resort communities will serve her well as she takes on the role of Chief Administrative Officer.”